Prosecutor wraps up cross-examination of Mark Bennett, accused of having sexual relationship with minor

BAY CITY – Mark A. Bennett sat on the witness stand with his right hand against his chin, blinking frequently, as he listened to a recorded phone conversation between himself and the underage girl he allegedly had sex with.

Bay County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Nancy E. Borushko played the recording this afternoon. On the recording, which Bennett said he knew was being recorded, he tells his alleged teenage victim the potential penalties he is facing for having sex with her. The teen lies and tells Bennett she is pregnant with his child, something Bennett says he knows how to take care of.

At one point, Bennett and the teen state they should have waited until she was 16 to have sex. After hearing the recording, Bennett told Borushko he never had sex with the teen.

In a recording played yesterday, Bennett makes a detailed confession to a Bay City police detective that he had sex with a longtime friend’s daughter 10 to 20 times between May and September 2010.

“You knew you could lose your child, lose your job, potentially go to jail or prison, you were placed under arrest at the police department and you continue to make all these admissions,” Borushko said.

“Yes,” Bennett responded.

“Because…why was that?”

“She said this would all go away,” Bennett said.

“And you were how old?” Borushko asked in an incredulous tone.

“37.”

“And she was how old?"

“15,” Bennett said.

“I have absolutely nothing further, your honor,” Borushko said.

Defense attorney Matthew L. Reyes asked his client a few follow-up questions before resting his case.

The jury is to return at 9 a.m. tomorrow, at which time Borushko and Reyes will deliver their closing arguments.

Bennett is charged with seven counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct with a victim between 13 and 16 years old and three counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct with a victim between the ages of 13 and 16. The former charge is punishable by up to 15 years in prison.